CTIA09: Samsung Mondi, a huge WiMAX slider

Samsung just unleashed the powerhouse that is the Mondi. This massive handset comes packing with speedy WiMAX support in a big daddy slider form factor. Winmo 6.1 powers the device and it seems that Samsung has big hopes for the huge device as it’s got just about everything possible in a mobile computing platform. Check it: MS Office, WiFi, BT 2.1, GPS with preloaded maps, 4 GB of internal memory, support for push email, instant messaging support, 3.0 MP camera and camcorder, Opera 9.5 browser, HDMI out, and a huge range of supported video and audio player formats.

Judging by the vague press release, Samsung might have even loaded their own skin on top of the Windows Mobile 6.1 core. Apparently there are widgets – cause everything must have widgets these days – that users can drag and drop on the 4.3-inch touch screen. So far pricing and availability hasn’t been released, but chances are the price will be higher than you’re willing to pay. Expect to find the Mondi into the hands of corporate Jack Bauer types anyway.

LAS VEGAS – March 31, 2008 – Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) today announced the upcoming availability of the Samsung Mondi™, the most advanced mobile WiMAX enabled handheld device in the U.S. The touch screen Mondi, which takes its name from the Latin word for “world”, is designed for use with the Clear™ mobile WiMAX service from Clearwire.

The Mondi carries many of the powerful features and uses of a laptop computer or netbook, but its compact slider form factor easily fits into the hand or pocket. GPS Navigation provided by Route 66 adds to the Mondi’s versatility. Available in a solid black finish, this device extends horizontally to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard and optical mouse. The Mondi™ is packed with multimedia features that offer instant access to E-mail, Internet, video content and business applications.

Mondi packs a full -featured web browser, powered by Opera 9.5, which takes full advantage of the device’s 4.3-inch touch screen. To keep connected while on-the-go, Mondi offers best-in-class location based services and instant access to social networking websites. It also supports various services including Fring™, Gypsii™, and MS Live Messenger.

The Mondi is completely customizable, thanks to a set of widgets that can be dragged and dropped anywhere on the display screen for easy viewing and use. Mondi is also an excellent device for work or for play. WiFi connectivity offers the business user fast and simple connections to Outlook Email / Calendars, Microsoft Office and many other vertical business applications outside the Clear service area. For the multimedia user, this device offers the ability to download and watch movies, listen to music or play games.

“The mobile broadband experience that the Mondi offers to Clear customers places the power of the open Internet in the palm of the hand,” said Atish Gude, Chief Marketing Officer for Clearwire. “As our network grows across the US, we will continue to work with innovative device manufacturers to expand the mobile WiMAX device ecosystem and leverage the value that a 4G wireless Internet connection delivers.”

Samsung is the global leader in delivering mobile WiMAX technologies and offers an end-to-end solution including chipsets, infrastructure, mobile devices and consumer electronics, including devices capable of accessing both mobile WiMAX and other wireless technologies. UQ Communications in Japan and Scartel LLC., in Russia are examples of other Mondi ™ing operators preparing for significant commercial deployment of national-wide service using Samsung’s mobile WiMAX total solution.